Power consumption control apparatus in pda phone

ABSTRACT

A mobile device is configured to control power consumption. The mobile device includes a detector configured to detect at least one of an active input or a passive condition, where the passive condition is based on a comparison of a device state or a change in the device state to a threshold. The mobile device includes a controller configured to respond to the detected active input or passive condition by causing less than all components in the mobile device, including the display screen of the mobile device, to enter a sleep mode directly from within an in-call mode. An amount of power supplied to the display screen is reduced in the sleep mode. The operational modes of the mobile device include the sleep mode and the in-call mode, and the mobile device is configured to consume at least 4% less power in the sleep mode than in the in-call mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/821,684, filed Jun. 23, 2010, now allowed, which is a is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/758,704, filed Apr. 12,2010, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/055,226, filed Feb. 9, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,725,139, whichclaims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority toKorean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0018114, filed on Mar. 17, 2004,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a personal digital assistant (PDA)phone, and more particularly, to a power consumption control apparatusin a PDA phone.

2. Description of the Background Art

In general, a personal digital assistant (PDA) is a kind of hand-held(pocket-size) microcomputer. The PDA is typically used for arrangementschedule, memo writing and personal information management. In additionto the arrangement schedule, the PDA can be also used for the field ofthe mobile Internet or the like. In other words, the PDA can beconsidered as equipment in which various control functions and anInternet access function of a notebook computer are put together with asmall size of electronic organizer.

Recently, as interest in PDAs increases, the number of users has grownlarger. A PDA phone which has the cellular phone function in addition tovarious functions of the PDA has come into the market. Since the PDAphone converges the functions of the PDA and the phone function, it isnecessary that operation methods for the PDA phone should be arrangedaccording to various states.

As functions of user equipment driven by portable batteries such assmart phones and PDA phones become complicated and varied, and theperformance of user equipment is enhanced, power consumption per unit oftime is considerably increased. Accordingly, in order to reduce thepower consumption of the user equipment, controlling the power forsoftware and hardware becomes more important to design the userequipment. Hardware components such as a CPU, a memory device, an LCDand the like which constitute the user equipment cause thismultifunction, high-performance user equipment to consume much power.

Particularly, a PDA phone in accordance with the conventional artcomprises a sleep mode, an idle mode, a called mode, an in-call mode anda calling mode. A mode of the PDA phone in accordance with theconventional art can be transitioned only from the sleep mode to theidle mode. The mode of the PDA phone in accordance with the conventionalart can be transitioned only from the idle mode to the sleep mode.

Hereinafter, a state transition of the conventional PDA phone will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe conventional art.

As shown in FIG. 1, when a user wakes up the PDA phone, a sleep mode 11is transitioned to an idle mode 12 (S11), In a state of the idle mode12, the idle mode 12 is transitioned to the sleep mode 11 automaticallyafter a certain amount of time of by user's input signal (S12).

When a call signal is received in the state of the idle mode 12, theidle mode 12 is transitioned to a called mode (S13). If the call signalis not accepted in a state of the called mode 13, that is, if the userdoes not answer the phone, the called mode 13 is transitioned to theidle mode 12 (S14).

If the received call signal is accepted in the state of the called mode13, that is, if the user answers the phone, the called mode 13 istransitioned to the in-call mode 14 (S15).

In addition, if the user presses a telephone number signal in order tomake a phone call with the other party in the state of the idle mode 12,that is, sends a call signal, the idle mode 12 is transitioned to acalling mode 15 (S16). If the user cancels the sent call signal in astate of the calling mode 15, that is, if the user stops making a phonecall, the calling mode 15 is transitioned to the idle mode 12 again(S17).

If the other party accepts the call signal in the state of the callingmode 15, that is, if the other party answers the phone, the calling mode15 is transitioned to the in-call mode 14 (S18).

If the call signal is terminated in a state of the in-call mode 14, thatis, if the user terminates the call, the in-call mode 14 is transitionedto the idle mode 12 (S19).

Here, the sleep mode 11 cannot be implemented by the user. In the sleepmode 11, a screen of the PDA phone is turned off, touch input and keypadinput cannot be made and a state only for answering the phone ismaintained. Accordingly, the PDA phone operates in the sleep mode 11 atthe minimum power.

The idle mode 12 is a state that the power which is applied to a CPU, acache and a buffer is cut off. In addition, the idle mode 12 is a modethat when an interrupt occurs, the sleep mode, the called mode, thein-call mode and the calling mode return. Here, in the idle mode 12,user's operation is all allowed, the screen of the PDA phone is turnedon, and touch input and keypad input can be made. That is, the idle modeis a state only for the PDA purpose. Since the PDA phone operates in theidle mode 12 with a certain amount of power internally consumed, the PDAphone consumes more power in the idle mode than in the sleep mode 11.

The called mode 13 is a state that the call signal sent by the otherparty is received and a telephone bell rings before the phone call isconnected. Therefore, the PDA phone consumes more power in the calledmode 13 than in sleep mode 11.

The in-call mode 14 is a state that voice communication with the otherparty is performed. Accordingly, the PDA phone consumes more power inthe in-call mode 14 than in the sleep mode 11.

The calling mode 15 is a state that the user sends a call signal beforethe phone call is connected. Accordingly, the PDA phone consumes morepower in the calling mode 15 than in the sleep mode 11.

However, since the PDA phone in accordance with the conventional artmaintains the called mode, the in-call mode and the calling mode even inunnecessary steps, there is a problem that the PDA phone consumes muchpower. In addition, the conventional PDA phone is unable to cope withthe circumstances which may occur in every state.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a powerconsumption control apparatus and a method thereof in a PDA phone inaccordance with the present invention which can reduce power consumptionof the PDA phone by transiting the PDA phone from a called mode, anin-called mode and a calling mode to a sleep mode, and cope with thecircumstances which may occur in every state of the PDA phone.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein,there is provided a power consumption control method in a PDA phonewhich comprises: transiting the PDA phone from an idle mode to a sleepmode automatically after a certain amount of time or by user's inputsignal; transiting the PDA phone from a called mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;transiting the PDA phone from a calling mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;and transiting the PDA phone from an in-call mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe conventional art;

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a table showing how much power the PDA phone consumes in eachmode in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of a power consumption controlapparatus and a method thereof in a PDA phone in accordance with thepresent invention which can reduce power consumption of the PDA phone bytransitioning the PDA phone from a called mode, an in-call mode and acalling mode to a sleep mode, and cope with the circumstances which mayoccur in every state of the PDA phone.

FIG. 2 is a state transition diagram of a PDA phone in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 3 is a table showing how much power the PDA phone consumes in eachmode in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power consumption control apparatus in a PDAphone in accordance with the present invention can perform the steps oftransitioning the FDA phone from an idle mode to a sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;transitioning the PDA phone from a called mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;transitioning the FDA phone from a calling mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal;and transitioning the PDA phone from an in-call mode to the sleep modeautomatically after a certain amount of time or by user's input signal.

Hereinafter, a power consumption control method in a PDA phone inaccordance with the present invention will be described in detail.

First, when the power is inputted to a PDA phone, a mode of the PDAphone becomes a sleep mode 21. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDA phonein the sleep mode has 21.2 mW power consumption.

In a state of the sleep mode 21, if the user wakes up the PDA phone, thesleep mode 21 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S21). Here, thewake-up occurs by user's operation. For example, said user's operationcan be done by pressing a specific button for a certain amount of timeor more or by turning a switch on. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDAphone in the idle mode has 296˜525.2 mW power consumption.

In a state of the idle mode 22, the idle mode 22 is transitioned to thesleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or the idle mode22 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 after a certainamount of time passes (S22).

In the state of the idle mode 22, the PDA phone receives a call signal,the idle mode 22 is transitioned to the called mode 23 (S23). The PDAphone consumes more power in the called mode 23 than in the sleep mode21.

In the state of the sleep mode 21, when the PDA phone receives a callsignal, the sleep mode 21 is transitioned to the called mode 23 (S24).

In a state of the called mode 23, if the call signal is no longerreceived because the user does not accept the received call signal, thecalled mode 23 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S25).

In the state of the called mode 23, the called mode 23 is transitionedto the sleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or thecalled mode 23 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 aftera certain amount of time passes (S26). That is, while a bell is ringingas the PDA phone receives a call signal, the called mode 23 istransitioned to the sleep mode 21 if the belt rings for more than a timepreviously set by the user. Accordingly, since the PDA phone consumesmore power in the called mode 23 than in the sleep mode 21, the powerconsumption of the PDA phone is reduced by transitioning the PDA phonefrom the called mode 23 to the sleep mode 21. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the PDA phone in the called mode 23 has 296 to 525.2 mW powerconsumption, and PDA phone in the sleep mode 21 transitioned from thecalled mode has 21.2 mW power consumption.

In the state of the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the called mode 23,when the PDA phone receives the other party's call signal again, thesleep mode 21 is transitioned to the called mode 23 (S27). As a result,since the call signal is received according to a certain period, themode of the PDA phone is alternately transitioned to the called mode 23and the sleep mode 21 after the time previously set by the user.However, that the screen of the PDA phone is turned on and off isinvisible to the naked eye because the certain period is very short.Thus, the screen of the PDA phone seems to be continuously turned on.

In the state of the called mode 23 or in the state of the sleep mode 21transitioned from the called mode 23, if the user accepts the receivedcall signal, the call mode 23 or the sleep mode 21 transitioned from thecalled mode 23 is transitioned to the in-call mode 24 (S28 and S29).

In the state of the idle mode 22, when the PDA phone sends a callsignal, the idle mode 22 is transitioned to the calling mode 25 (S30).That is, if the user makes a phone call with the other party, the modeof the PDA phone becomes the calling mode 25. The PDA phone consumesmuch power in the calling mode 25 than in the sleep mode 21.

In a state of the calling mode 25, when the PDA phone cancels sending ofthe call signal, that is, when the user stops making a phone call, thecalling mode 25 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S31).

In the state of the calling mode 25, the calling mode 25 is transitionedto the sleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or thecalling mode 25 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 aftera certain amount of time passes (S32). Accordingly, since the PDA phoneconsumes more power in the calling mode 25 than in the sleep mode 21transitioned from the calling mode, the power consumption of the PDAphone is reduced by transitioning the PDA phone from the calling mode 25to the sleep mode 21. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDA phone in thecalling mode 25 has 296 to 525.2 mW power consumption, and the PDA phonein the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the calling mode 25 has 21.2 mWpower consumption.

In the state of the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the calling mode 25,when the user forcibly wakes up the PDA phone, the sleep mode 21transitioned from the calling mode 25 is transitioned to the callingmode 25 (633).

In the state of the calling mode 25 or in the state of the sleep mode 21transitioned from the calling mode 25, if the user accepts the sent callsignal, the calling mode 25 or the sleep mode 21 transitioned from thecalling mode 25 is transitioned to the in-call mode 24 (634 and 635).

In a state of the in-call mode 24, the in-call mode 24 is transitionedto the sleep mode 21 when the user supplies an input signal, or thein-call mode 24 is automatically transitioned to the sleep mode 21 aftera certain amount of time passes (S36). That is, if the user presses abutton for transitioning the mode of the PDA phone to the sleep mode 21or if talk time with other party exceeds a certain amount of time, themode of the PDA phone becomes the sleep mode 21. Accordingly, since thePDA phone consumes more power in the in-call mode 24 than in the sleepmode 21 transitioned from the in-call mode, the power consumption of thePDA phone is reduced by transitioning the PDA phone from the in-callmode 24 to the sleep mode 21. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the PDA phone inthe in-call mode 24 has 1389 to 2049.8 mW power consumption, and the PDAphone in the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-call mode 24 has1334.7 to 1926.0 mW power consumption.

In the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-call mode 24, if the userwakes up the PDA phone, the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-callmode 24 is transitioned to the in-call mode 24 (S37).

In the state of the in-call mode 24 or in the state of the sleep mode 21transitioned from in-call mode 24, when the phone call is terminated,the in-call mode 24 or the sleep mode 21 transitioned from the in-callmode 24 is transitioned to the idle mode 22 (S38 and S39).

As so far described in detail, a power consumption control apparatus anda method thereof in a PDA phone in accordance with the present inventioncan reduce the power consumption of the PDA phone by transitioning thePDA phone from a called mode, an in-called mode and a calling mode to asleep mode, and cope with the circumstances which may occur in everystate of the PDA phone.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, itshould also be understood that the above-described embodiments are notlimited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unlessotherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within itsspirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore allchanges and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of theclaims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intendedto be embraced by the appended claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A mobile device configured to control powerconsumption, the mobile device comprising: a display screen; a detectorconfigured to detect at least one of an active input or a passivecondition, wherein the passive condition is determined to be presentbased on a comparison of a device state or a change in the device stateto a threshold; and a controller configured to perform operations inresponse to the detected active input or passive condition, wherein theoperations include: when the mobile device is operative in an idle mode,transition the mobile device from the idle mode to a first sleep mode inresponse to the detected active input or passive condition, when themobile device is operative in a calling mode, transition the mobiledevice from the calling mode to a second sleep mode in response to thedetected active input or passive condition, when the mobile device isoperative in a called mode, transition the mobile device from the calledmode to a third sleep mode in response to the detected active input orpassive condition, or when the mobile device is operative in an in-callmode, transition the mobile device from the in-call mode to a fourthsleep mode in response to the detected active input or passivecondition, wherein the mobile device in the first sleep is configured toconsume less power than the idle mode, the mobile device in the secondsleep mode is configured to consume less power than the calling mode,the mobile device in the third sleep mode is configured to consume lesspower than the called mode, and the mobile device in the fourth sleepmode is configured to consume less power than the in-call mode, whereinthe mobile device in the fourth sleep mode is configured to consume morepower than the first sleep mode, the second sleep mode, or the thirdsleep mode, wherein the controller is configured to transition themobile device from the first sleep mode to the idle mode when a userwakes up the mobile device in the first sleep mode, transition themobile device from the second sleep mode to the calling mode when theuser wakes up the mobile device in the second sleep mode, and transitionthe mobile device from the fourth sleep mode to the in-call mode whenthe user wakes up the mobile device in the fourth sleep mode.
 3. Themobile device of claim 2, wherein the mobile device includes a user keyfor input, wherein the active input includes an input thorough the userkey.
 4. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the passive conditionincludes an elapse of a predetermined time interval from a point of timewhen the mobile device enters into a specific operational mode.
 5. Themobile device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured totransition the mobile device from the third sleep mode to the calledmode when the mobile device receives another call signal in the thirdsleep mode.
 6. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the user wakes upthe mobile device in the first sleep mode, the second sleep mode, or thethird sleep mode by pressing a specific button or by turning a switchon.
 7. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the controller isconfigured to transition the mobile device from the calling mode to theidle mode when the user stops sending a call signal in the calling mode.8. The mobile device of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured totransition the mobile device from the called mode to the idle mode whenthe user does not accept a received call signal in the called mode. 9.The mobile device of claim 2, the controller is configured to transitionthe mobile device from the in-call mode to the idle mode when a phonecall is terminated in the in-call mode.
 10. The mobile device of claim2, the controller is configured to transition the mobile device from thefourth sleep mode to the idle mode when a phone call is terminated inthe fourth sleep mode.
 11. The mobile device of claim 2, the controlleris configured to transition the mobile device from the calling mode orthe second sleep mode to the in-call mode when a party of a sent callsignal accepts the sent call signal in the calling mode or the secondsleep mode.
 12. The mobile device of claim 2, the controller isconfigured to transition the mobile device from the called mode or thethird sleep mode to the in-call mode when the user accepts a receivedcall signal in the called mode or the third sleep mode.
 13. The mobiledevice of claim 2, the controller is configured to transition the mobiledevice from the fourth sleep mode to the in-call mode when the userwakes up the mobile device in the fourth sleep mode.
 14. A mobile deviceconfigured to control power consumption, the mobile device comprising: adisplay screen; a detector configured to detect at least one of anactive input or a passive condition, wherein the passive condition isdetermined to be present based on a comparison of a device state or achange in the device state to a threshold; and a controller configuredto perform operations in response to the detected active input orpassive condition, wherein the operations include: when the mobiledevice is operative in an idle mode, transition the mobile device fromthe idle mode to a first sleep mode in response to the detected activeinput or passive condition, when the mobile device is operative in acalled mode, transition the mobile device from the called mode to asecond sleep mode in response to the detected active input or passivecondition, or when the mobile device is operative in an in-call mode,transition the mobile device from the in-call mode to a third sleep modein response to the detected active input or passive condition, whereinthe mobile device in the first sleep is configured to consume less powerthan the idle mode, the mobile device in the second sleep mode isconfigured to consume less power than the called mode, the mobile devicein the third sleep mode is configured to consume less power than thein-call mode, wherein the mobile device in the third sleep mode isconfigured to consume more power than the first sleep mode or the secondsleep mode, wherein the controller is configured to transition themobile device from the first sleep mode to the idle mode when a userwakes up the mobile device in the first sleep mode and transition themobile device from the called mode to the idle mode when the user doesnot accept a received call signal in the called mode.
 15. The mobiledevice of claim 14, wherein the controller is configured to transitionthe mobile device from the calling mode to the idle mode when the userstops sending a call signal in the calling mode.
 16. The mobile deviceof claim 14, the controller is configured to transition the mobiledevice from the in-call mode to the idle mode when a phone call isterminated in the in-call mode.
 17. The mobile device of claim 14, thecontroller is configured to transition the mobile device from the thirdsleep mode to the idle mode when a phone call is terminated in the thirdsleep mode.
 18. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the controller isconfigured to transition the mobile device from the second sleep mode tothe called mode when the user wakes up the mobile device in the secondsleep mode, and transition the mobile device from the third sleep modeto the in-call mode when the user wakes up the mobile device in thethird sleep mode.
 19. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein thecontroller is configured to transition the mobile device from a callingmode to a fourth sleep mode in response to the detected active input orpassive condition and transition the mobile device from the fourth sleepmode to the calling mode when the user wakes up the mobile device in thefourth sleep mode.
 20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein thecontroller is configured to transition the mobile device from thecalling mode or the fourth sleep mode to the in-call mode when a partyof a sent call signal accept the sent call in signal in the calling modeor the fourth sleep mode.
 21. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein thecontroller is configured to transition the mobile device from the calledmode or the second sleep mode to the in-call mode when the user acceptsa received call signal in the called mode or the second sleep mode. 22.A mobile device configured to control power consumption, the mobiledevice comprising: a display screen; a detector configured to detect atleast one of an active input or a passive condition, wherein the passivecondition is determined to be present based on a comparison of a devicestate or a change in the device state to a threshold; and a controllerconfigured to perform operations in response to the detected activeinput or passive condition, wherein the operations include: when themobile device is operative in an idle mode, transition the mobile devicefrom the idle mode to a first sleep mode in response to the detectedactive input or passive condition, when the mobile device is operativein a calling mode, transition the mobile device from the called mode toa second sleep mode in response to the detected active input or passivecondition, when the mobile device is operative in a called mode,transition the mobile device from the called mode to a third sleep modein response to the detected active input or passive condition, or whenthe mobile device is operative in an in-call mode, transition the mobiledevice from the in-call mode to a fourth sleep mode in response to thedetected active input or passive condition, wherein the mobile device inthe first sleep is configured to consume less power than the idle mode,the mobile device in the second sleep mode is configured to consume lesspower than the calling mode or the called mode, the mobile device in thethird sleep mode is configured to consume less power than the in-callmode, wherein the mobile device in the third sleep mode is configured toconsume more power than the first sleep mode or the second sleep mode,wherein the controller is configured to transition the mobile devicefrom the calling mode or the second sleep mode to the in-call mode whena party of a sent call signal accepts the sent call signal in thecalling mode or the second sleep mode, and transition the mobile devicefrom the called mode or the third sleep mode to the in-call mode when auser of the mobile device accepts a received call signal.
 23. The mobiledevice of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to transitionthe mobile device from the fourth sleep mode to the in-call mode whenthe user wakes up the mobile device in the fourth sleep mode.
 24. Themobile device of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured totransition the mobile device from the first sleep mode to the idle modewhen a user wakes up the mobile device in the first sleep mode,transition the mobile device from the second sleep mode to the callingmode when the user wakes up the mobile device in the second sleep mode,and transition the mobile device from the fourth sleep mode to thein-call mode when the user wakes up the mobile device in the fourthsleep mode.
 25. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein the controller isconfigured to transition the mobile device from the third sleep mode tothe called mode when the mobile device receives another call signal inthe third sleep mode.
 26. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein thecontroller is configured to transition the mobile device from thecalling mode to the idle mode when the user stops sending a call signalin the calling mode.
 27. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein thecontroller is configured to transition the mobile device from the calledmode to the idle mode when the user does not accept a received callsignal in the called mode.
 28. The mobile device of claim 22, thecontroller is configured to transition the mobile device from thein-call mode to the idle mode when a phone call is terminated in thein-call mode.
 29. The mobile device of claim 22, the controller isconfigured to transition the mobile device from the fourth sleep mode tothe idle mode when a phone call is terminated in the fourth sleep mode.